Hong Kong Showcases Innovation at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Highlights I&T Development and International Collaboration

Hong Kong innovations shine at international exhibition of inventions in Geneva

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a reception on the occasion of Hong Kong's participation in the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva on March 13 (Geneva time) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Speaking at the reception, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted that the Government placed top priority on promoting innovation and technology (I&T) development, and is moving at full steam to build Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.

"To accelerate this development, we are strengthening our ecosystem from upstream research and development, through midstream technology transfers and commercialisation, to downstream new industrialisation development. We are also enhancing international collaboration through our InnoHK platform, partnering with world-renowned universities and research institutes to establish research laboratories, including universities in Switzerland. Our progress is recognised internationally. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first worldwide in the Global Innovation Index 2025," Mr Wong said.

Mr Wong also highlighted the new I&T initiatives in the 2026-27 Budget, including earmarking HK$10 billion to accelerate the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and another HK$10 billion to take forward the development of the San Tin Technopole, located adjacent to the Shenzhen’s I&T zone.

Founded in 1972, the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is one of the largest global events dedicated exclusively to inventions and new technologies. This year, Hong Kong representatives won nearly 300 prizes.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a reception on the occasion of Hong Kong’s participation in the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva on March 13 (Geneva time). The Development Bureau and its departments won 36 awards. Photo shows the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Tony Ho (first left); the Director of HKETO Berlin. Mr Indiana Wong (second left); and the Deputy Director/Trading Services of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Mr Vincent Chow (centre); visiting an EMSD exhibit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a reception on the occasion of Hong Kong's participation in the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva on March 13 (Geneva time). The Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, delivers welcome remarks at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 34 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on May 1 and seized around 37 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a market value of about $188,000 and a duty potential of about $124,000, as well as around 85 000 alternative smoking products, with a market value of about $229,000, from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 yesterday.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 24, at HKIA yesterday. Customs officers seized about 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $121,000 and a duty potential of about $98,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases